TERRIFIC CONFLAGRATION AT AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 85, 30 January 1863, Page 3

TERRIFIC CONFLAGRATION AT AUCKLAND.

[From Min Haily Southern Cross, (second edition) Jan. 17.] Auckland has been, a second time, visited by a most alarming fire, which has destroyed many thousand pounds worth of property. At about half-past two this morning, an alarm of fire was given, and shortly afterwards the fire-bells were rung, and the military alarm sounded. The inhabitants of Auckland turned out pretty generally on the first alarm, and made their way to the scene of the conflagration in Queen-street.

It was barely three o’clock when we arrived at the scene of the burning. The fire had then nearly gutted the premises of Messrs Morrin & Co., in which it first appeared, and was spreading up Durham-street east with alarming rapidity. The adjoining premises, occupied by Mr. Darby, on the east side of Durham-street, in Queen-street, were likewise in flames. The fire, at this period, was utterly beyond control. It shot up in a steady flame far above the roofs of the adjoining buildings, the intense heat from which blistered the paint on houses on the opposite side of Queenstreet. Although the tire brigade, under Capt. Daldy, were in attendance, their efforts were futile. The tire progressed steadily on either side of Durham-street, lapping up in its hot breath the adjoining buildings. Mr. Darby’s premises were soon consumed ; Mr. Hampshire’s followed, and almost simultaneously, the forked flames burst from the premises of Mr. Barr, butcher, adjoining the Brunswick Hall. This was the turning-point of the fire in that direction. Water could not be had to play upon the burning mass, and great fears were entertained for the splendid new premises of Mr. Stannus Jones. Fortunately there was a light northerly breeze, which carried the flames in the opposite direction, thus causing them to traverse the space over which they had spread seawards. It was likewise fortunate that the height of the buildings kept the flames from affecting the slates, so as to split them with the heat, and thus communicate the tire to the interior of the hall. There were no windows in the exposed side-wall of the Hall, except at the rear, clear of the burning premises,—and by the timely exertions of a few of our fellow citizens, an outhouse, close to these windows which had caught fire, was demolished, and water was pitched upon the glass, until the fire had subsided, at great risk to the persons engaged. The Brunswick Hull arrested the progress of the flames in that direction, but they soon travelled up Durham-street consuming every tenement on each side. The Young Men's Christian Association Rooms fell a prey to the devouring element, and the small houses in connexion therewith shared the same fate. Into High-street also the tire penetrated, but the vacant space, and brick premises of Mr. Forsaith, aided by the wind, which bv this time had freshened, kept it freshened, kept it from extending further eastward. lor a time, the new shop and warehouse of Messrs. Newman & Ewen stopped the progress of the flames westward. Messrs. Morrin & Co s premises were adjoining this new building, which was only in course of erection, and the volume of flame was so great that at length the joists and beams of the new building ignited, and all the woodwork was burnt out. The some finishing, in manv places, split and peeled off. But now the tire had free scope, and the block of wooden buildings, terminating in the Greyhound, corner of Victoria and Queen-street, was soon enveloped in flames The premises of Messrs. Prime, Cotter, Joslin, McGuflie, and Lamb, were simutaneously on fire. Mr. Hardiugton’s extensive stables went next, and then the Greyhound inn. The fire travelled up Victoria-street, consuming the old theatre, and making a clear sweep of the block into Victoria Quadrant. This was perhaps the most critical period of the fire. The intense heat drove every human being off Victoria-street up to the barrack hill. The heat was so great that rubbish and straw ignited on the opposite side of the street, wide as it is at this point. Full bags of grain likewise took fire on the foot-path opposite the burning. At length small flickeriugs were seen on the roof of the Blue Post boarding house, and on the roof of Mr. Mear's store. Wet blankets were applied, and men were seen to place their lives in jeopardy to keep the fire under. Fortunately they succeeded, for if this block of wooden buildings had become ignited, the whole of Queen-street westward, and perhaps also Barrack and Wakefield streets, K ~.l wuuui imvc uccu uv/uouiiicu, j-va uaw said, this did not happen. The roof of the Supreme Court was on fire in several places, on the opposite side of Queen-street, but several men kept on the watch to prevent it getting a head. So also was the roof of one tenement at the foot of Victoria-street North. On the South side of Queen-street the most continuous efforts were necessary to prevent the flames from taking a hold. Water was thrown upon them, and wetted blankets hung out in front and spread over the roofs, to destroy the effects of the heat, and we are happy to say with complete success. About four o’clock the fire had all but ex-

hausted the materials on which it fed. The glare from the burning mass from the “ Greyhound ” corner to Newman and Eweu’s, and thence up Victoria-street, was terrible. The heated air rushed in whirling eddies along the street, carrying dust, sparks, smoke, and a few caps and hats with it. The heat was intense. No human being could remain for a moment near it, although thousands of anxious spectators were gazing from a distance, on the burning mass. Every point where a view of the tire could safely be obtained was occupied. The barrack hill and barrack wall were crowded, Victoria-street and Queen-street were fall. But the people were powerless. Owing to the want of a water supply, and the fact that a sufficiency of hose to communicate with the tide was not to be had, the tire progressed while there was anything to burn, without any check. This was not the fault of those immediately engaged, nor of our fellow-towns-men. Had the morning been stormy, or had a fresh breeze blown, there is no saying where the tire would have stopped. As it is, we are indebted solely to Providence that the entire city was not burned down. We find, since writing the above, that the loss which will fall on the New Zealand Insurance Company will be about <£4,025, made up as follows;—Mr. Prime, house, stock, and furniture, .£1,025 ; Morrin & Co., £I,BOO ; Mr. Hill, £2OO ; Newman and Ewen, £4OO, fur back premises. There may be a hundred pounds or so above this sum, but that will be all.